Walking grenade

ABSTRACT

This disclosure describes a new type of grenade. The grenade comprises a housing with an aerosal generating mixture therein. Fuse means is provided to ignite the fuel-oxider portion of the aerosol generating mixture causing it to burn and thereby causing another portion of the aerosol generating mixture to vaporize. The pressure developed in the grenade opens ports that dispense the vapor in a preselected direction and concomitant therewith causes the grenade to move. The vapor can be any desired vaporizable material such as an insecticide, antipersonnel reagent, etc.

Unite States Patent [72] Inventor Jack Y. Richardson Mouth-of-Wilson, Va.

[21] Appl. No, 817,539

[22 Filed Apr. 18, 1969 I45] Patented [73] Assignee Aug. 17. 1971 Brunswick Corporation Chicago, Ill.

54 WALKING GRENADE' 18 Claims, 15 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 102/65 [51] lnLCl F42b 27/00 [50] Field of Search 102/6, 39, 65, 66, 9O

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,080,896 5/1937 OLeary 102/65 2,920,566 1/1960 Barker 102/90 X 2,959,127 11/1960 Weinert 102/65 3,117,521 1/1964 Reaves 102/65 3,269,313 8/1966 Willmunn cl ul 102/65 X 3,352,238 ll/l9b7 Sprugg 01 i1], 102/65 X Primary Examiner-Verlin R. Pendegrass Atlorney.r-Donald S. Olexa and Jerome M. Teplitz ABSTRACT: This disclosure describes a new type of grenade. The grenade comprises a housing with an aerosal generating mixture therein. Fuse means is provided to ignite the fuel-oxider portion of the aerosol generating mixture causing it to burn and thereby causing another portion of the aerosol generating mixture to vaporize. The pressure developed in the grenade opens ports that dispense the vapor in a preselected direction and concomitant therewith causes the grenade to move. The vapor can be any desired vaporizable material such as an insecticide, antipersonnel reagent, etc.

PATENTEU AUG I 7 1971 SHEET 1 OF 3 A TTOR/VE Y PATENTED AUG] 7197: 3 599,571

sum 3m 3 INVENTOI? WALKING GRENADE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is in the field of grenades and, more particularly, is a self-moving vapor generating grenade.

2. Description of the Prior Art For many years vapor generating grenades that were capable of spewing forth a preselected vapor such as smoke or tear gas have been known, such as taught by 0055 in U.S. Pat. No. 1,878,489. He taught that such grenades could be thrown by hand using a standard fusing system. These grenades, when thrown, would strike the ground and remain in the place thrown giving off their vapor. The area of coverage of such grenades was limited to the pressure with which the vapor left the grenade. As taught by Sahnepfe in U.S. Pat. No. 3,320,383, a cloud of vapor would surround the immediate area where the grenade was thrown.

If a strong wind blew during the generation of the vapor, the cloud would be spread. However, the openings that permit the exiting of the vapor also prevent movement of the grenade. There have been patents covering fast burning grenades such as Conklin, U.S. Pat. No. Re. 18,938.

As consequence, when a tear gas grenade is used for riot control wherein the grenade is thrown into a crowd it is easy for the rioters to move away from the grenade or pick up the grenade and throw it back.

A similar grenade used for dispensing vaporized insecticide has the same limitation in that it stays in place where thrown and only emits a cloud that covers a definitely confined geographic area. Therefore, a need for a grenade capable of dispersing vapor over a large area exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to grenades and is concerned with a new and novel device that generates a vapor cloud over a wide area.

It is an object of this invention to provide a grenade capable of dispensing vapor generated therein over a wide area by directing the movement of the grenade by a built-in locomotion means. The aerosol generating mixture of the grenade is ignited so that the vapor will be generated therefrom.

Another object of this invention is the provision that the aerosol generating mixture comprise at least a fuel-oxider portion and a vaporizable portion.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision that the grenade can have any desired external shape such as a sphere, cylinder, etc.

Still another object of this invention is the provision that the movement of the grenade can be confined to preselected path.

Still yet another object of this invention is the provision that the vaporizable portion of the aerosol generating mixture can generate any sort of a particle cloud such as an antipersonnel agent, and insecticide, an illumination means, a water marker, a herbicide, a personnel marker, smoke, etc.

When the grenade is packed with aerosol generating mixture, hermetically sealed and properly fused, the grenade will generate a vapor from the ignited aerosol generating mixture. The rapid expansion of this vapor will cause preselected shaped portals to open. These portals permit the expanded gas to be released from the grenade and cause the grenade to rotate, walk, move, skitter, etc. in a preselected direction or in a random direction. The ability to rapidly move imparts to the grenade the characteristic of dispensing a cloud of vapor over a wide area.

The above and other further objects and features will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section'ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of spherical embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of conical embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another conical embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a disc-shaped embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view depicting the walking grenade;

FIG 10 is an alternative perspective view of the walking grenade;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention channeling the movement of the grenade;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the grenade is pictured as having an exterior cylindrical shape such as a (beer) can 10 wherein the parts of the can comprise a top 14, a bottom 12 and sidewalls 11. The exterior shape of the grenade 8 can be any desired geometric shape with the size and configuration such that the grenade 8 can be launched or air dropped. Some of these configurations are found in FIGS. 6 through 9 wherein the exterior shapes are shown as sphere 10A, conical-based can 108, conical-shaped structure 10C and pancakeor saucer-shaped structure 10D. It will be understood that any geometric shape that can provide a hollow portion therein can be used.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom 12 of the can 10 is hermetically sealed to the sidewalls 11. The can 10 is then charged with the aerosol generating mixture 20 which is pressed into the can. It has been found that to obtain substantially uniform gas generating pressure it is better to charge the can 10 in several steps with the aerosol generating mixture 20. In the illustration embodiment of FIG. 3 the can 10 was charged and the mixture pressed in several increments to provide uniform and predictable performance. However, multiple compactions are determined by the shape of the can, and as many or few steps can be performed as desired. The aerosol generating mixture 20 can be any material where upon the burning of a portion thereof the other portion l vaporizes as a gas or (2) a particulate material which is dispersed by the exhaust gases. Examples of the vaporized or dispersed portion may be made from materials such as tear gas, visible dyes, organic compounds, inorganic compounds, ultraviolet dyes, visible dyes, water soluble dyes, metals, metal oxides, salts, organic-metallic dyes, pigments, etc.

The vaporized or dispersed material is used as an antipersonnel reagent, smoke, flares, insecticides, personnei markings, water markers, herbicides for dispersing compositions. It is contemplated that if any fuel-oxygen combination mixed with a cloudable chemical, can, on burning cause a gas cloud formation, then such a mixture is within the scope of this invention. The top of the aerosol generating mixture is lightly covered with ignition mixture powder 21.

The ignition powder may be any suitable ignition mixture known to those skilled in the art. Some of these ignition powders can be metal-metal oxides such as red lead boron, red lead zirconium, red lead silicon and the like.

A cap or top 14 has fuse mounting socket 16 which is shaped to secure the fuse 18 to the cap. However, any type of fuse 18 may be used as desired. The pressure ports 24 in cap 14 provide a means for the gas vapor to escape from the can 10. The cap 14 is hermetically sealed to the mixture loaded can and a fuse 18 is inserted in the fuse socket 16. It is necessary that the fuse tip 18A be mounted in such a manner to provide there is a space between fuse tip 18A and igniter mixture 21. This gap enables the fuse to start the igniter mixture 21 burning. There are various methods used to provide a gap: one method is shown in FIG. 2 wherein there is a spacing between the igniter mixture 21 and the tip 18A; another illustrated method is provided by a depression 20A in the top of aerosol generating mixture 20 wherein a gap is formed between ignition mixture 21 and a long fuse tip 18A.

When the fuse 18 is ignited, it ignites the ignition powder 21 which then ignites the aerosol generating mixture 20. In one embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generating mixture disperses an antipersonnel reagent such as orthochlorbenzalmalononitrile, commonly known as CS. The aerosol generating mixture 20 comprises a pressed mixture of crystalline CS, a fuel-oxider combination such as sugar-potassium chlorate, a burning rate controller such as magnesium carbonate and a binder such as nitrocellulose.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that there may be changes in chemicals when the aerosol generating mixture provides a cloud for purposes other than an as antipersonnel reagent.

Illustratively, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ports 24 open up as the gas is generated permitting the gas to escape in a controllable cloud. The ports 24 are flexibly hinged to the cap 13 so that when the gas is generated the ports manually open on an angle between and 40, as desired. As a consequence thereof the exiting gas causes a jetting action which in turn causes the can 8 to revolve about the bottom 12 and to move relative to base (ground, concrete, etc.) supporting the can 8.

It was found that when the gas exits with sufficient pressure to cause the can to rapidly rotate, the can moves relative to the supporting base giving the appearance ofscooting or walk ing along the ground with the cap in an upward position. This walking effect of the grenade enables the gas cloud to be spread over a much wider area than is possible with the grenades taught in the prior art. By tests, this walking action of the grenade in FIG. 9 has shown that the grenade will move rapidly over the top of the ground in a very erratic and uncontrollable path. During burning and for sometime thereafter the can is too hot to pick up even if its walking action could be stopped. As a consequence thereof, when the grenade 8 is used as antipersonnel weapon, it has advantageous characteristics unknown heretofore. It has been found that if the grenade 8, when operating, hits some obstruction in its path that it will move away and continue walking. Also, if the grenade can tips over when walking it will either regain its walking posture or lay on its side dispensing gas and spin violently. The heat of the grenade as well as its violent motion prevents a person from picking up the grenade (when operating) and tossing it. This factor is important to law enforcement officials during the quelling ofa riot. It has also been observed that when an ignited grenade can is thrown with the ports 24 in a downward position (such as being on the bottom) that the can 8 can lift it elf off the ground and spin and walk approximately 2 to 4 feet off the ground as illustrated in FIG. 10.

When different shapes for exterior of the can are used as shown in FIGS. 6 through 9, different movement patterns are derived while the grenade is rotating.

As can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 13 the ports 24A and 248 can be substituted for ports 24. By placing the ports in either side or bottom of the grenade a different movement will be imparted to the grenade. When the ports 24A are used the can is reverse packed with aerosol generating mixture with a hole 31 in the center thereof and spacer 39 which permits the vapor generated to exit. When the ports 24B are used, the can is packed with a perforated or castellated spaced 32 so that the vaporized gases can migrate to the walls 11, force open the ports 24B and thereby escape. It is contemplated that the ports 24, 24A and 248 can be used to direct the jet action of the gas in the same or opposite directions, as desired. It is further contemplated that the grenade can have any combination of ports. Illustratively, the combination of any port arrangements will provide wide latitude in the selection of the desired motion of the grenade.

In another variation of the invention there is an eye 26 or a channel guide 28 rotatably attached to the bottom 12. This enables the grenade can 8 to be placed on a wire or in a channel as shown in FIG. 11. The ignited grenade will travel a direction A while rotating in a direction B. Therefore, it is possible to disperse the gas from the grenade forming a large cloud and at the same time follow a well-defined path. This type of performance is easily adaptable to the fogging or clouding of an area with an insecticide. This is an example of one use while many other uses are contemplated.

It is also contemplated to be within the scope of the invention that the ports 24, 24A and 24B can have any convenient geometric shape such as rectangular, square, triangular, etc. as desired. Also it is contemplated that rather than being integrally formed with the cap, the ports may be spring-loaded flaps or any type of preselect pressure relief system that will cause the expanding gases to cause a jet action capable of moving the grenade. However, once the grenade is completely packed it should generally remain sealed until used.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described, many modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

lClaim:

1. A gas dispensing grenade comprising:

a housing defined by sidewalls cap and bottom plate,

said cap and bottom plate hermetically sealed to said sidewalls;

an aerosol generating mixture in said housing having a portion thereof capable of producing a rapidly expanding gaseous vapor;

means for igniting said mixture;

means for directing the movement of said grenade when said generated vapor is released therefrom, said means being hermetically sealed prior to the generation of said vapor; and

means for preselecting the pressure created by said generated vapor to open said directing means a preselected amount to cause preselected movement of said grenade. 2. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of the aerosol generating mixture comprises or thochlorobenzalmalononitrile.

3. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of the aerosol generating mixture comprises a fuel-oxidizer mixture.

4. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein the directing means comprises ports.

5. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 4 wherein said ports are located on said cap.

6. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein the housing is substantially spherical shaped.

7. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein the housing is conically shaped.

8. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein said hous ing is pancake-shaped.

9. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein said directing means are secured to said housing to guide the movement of said grenade in a preselected path.

10. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 9 wherein said means is a rotatable eye.

11. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 9 wherein said means is a rotatable channel guide.

12. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of said aerosol generating mixture comprises an antipersonnel reagent.

13. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of said aerosol generating mixture comprises a personnel marking compound.

17. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of said aerosol generating mixture comprises herbicides.

18. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of said aerosol generating mixture comprises an aerial illu- 5 mination compound. 

1. A gas dispensing grenade comprising: a housing defined by sidewalls cap and bottom plate, said cap and bottom plate hermetically sealed to said sidewalls; an aerosol generating mixture in said housing having a portion thereof capable of producing a rapidly expanding gaseous vapor; means for igniting said mixture; means for directing the movement of said grenade when said generated vapor is released therefrom, said means being hermetically sealed prior to the generation of said vapor; and means for preselecting the pressure created by said generated vapor to open said directing means a preselected amount to cause preselected movement of said grenade.
 2. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of the aerosol generating mixture comprises or thochlorobenzalmalononitrile.
 3. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of the aerosol generating mixture comprises a fuel-oxidizer mixture.
 4. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein the directing means comprises ports.
 5. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 4 wherein said ports are located on said cap.
 6. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein the housing is substantially spherical shaped. Pg,12
 7. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein the housing is conically shaped.
 8. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein said housing is pancake-shaped.
 9. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein said directing means are secured to said housing to guide the movement of said grenade in a preselected path.
 10. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 9 wherein said means is a rotatable eye.
 11. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 9 wherein said means is a rotatable channel guide.
 12. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of said aerosol generating mixture comprises an antipersonnel reagent.
 13. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of said aerosol generating mixture comprises a personnel marking compound.
 14. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of said aerosol generating mixture comprises smoke.
 15. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of said aerosol generating mixture comprises a water marker.
 16. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of said aerosol generating mixture comprises insecticides.
 17. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of said aerosol generating mixture comprises herbicides.
 18. The gas dispensing grenade of claim 1 wherein a portion of said aerosol generating mixture comprises an aerial illumination compound. 